44-40 CAsting and load data

[shamanlcs]

Anybody using a 240 grain cast bullet in the 44-40? Can't find load data .

[Outpost75]

A nominal case full of RL7, lightly compressed by a seated bullet, is accurate and powerful.

You can’t get enough RL7 into a .44-40 case to get into any trouble. A Hercules powder pamphlet from 1995 listed data for a 240 grain lead bullet in the .44-40, using 23.5 grains. of RL-7 for 1,290 fps from a 24" barrel at 12,100 cup, well within SAAMI pressure limits.

For a heavy bullet in .44-40 I use the Accurate 43-230G bullet, with 24.5 grains of RL7, which fills the case just to the shoulder being lightly compressed at 1.61” OAL. T^he 200-grain bullets shoot well with the same charge, as do Remington 240-grain SJHPs. I get 3-inch, ten-shot groups with scope at 100 yards and 2 to 2-1/2” groups at 50 yards with iron sights. While some unburned powder does come out with the brass, when fired in my Ruger Vaquero and S&W Texas Wagon Train revolvers, the amount is no worse than with “book” loads of 4227 or #2400.

Unlike my test firings with #2400 and 4227, velocities obtained with RL7 were acceptably uniform and accuracy good.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------Marlin 20"----------Ruger 5-1/2"
Accurate 43-200Q - 24.5 RL7, Starline case, Rem. 2-1/2 primer....1359 fps, 30 Sd......891 fps, 23 Sd
Accurate 43-230G - 24.5 RL7, Starline case, Rem. 2-1/2 primer....1355 fps, 22 Sd......957 fps, 29 Sd

139733

So, while RL7 may not be your revolver powder of choice, it gives satisfactory results in my modern .44-40 wheelguns, such that I would have no hesitation carrying RL7 in full-charge hunting loads as a dual-use, rifle-revolver expedient.

139735139736

If you don't have RL7 a like VOLUME of 4198 (about 22 grains) gives similar results and is quite safe in the Ruger and S&W revolvers, modern 1892 Winchester and 1894 Marlins.

[Calamity Jake]

Just pick any 200gr load for 44-40 out of a load book and reduce the start load 5-10% and work up from there.

[Outpost75]

.44-40 chronograph results with Remington 240-grain jacketed bullets from my strong, modern .44-40s:

Starline cases, Rem. 2-1/2 primers:--------------------Marlin 20"--------Ruger 5-1/2"

Remington 240-gr. SJHP .429" 7.2 grains Bullseye......1140, 32 Sd......895, 11 Sd
...........................................7.8 grains Red Dot......1136, 29 Sd......947, 13 Sd

[rintinglen]

I don't remember where I dug this one up, but a 429-383 loaded over 6.5 grains of Unique worked very well in my S&W 544. My barrel slugged out around .428, so I use .429 boolits. But I have read that these are all over the table, running from .424 to .430, depending on when and by whom it was made. You'll want to check before proceeding too far down the reloading trail.

[runfiverun]

I use 240's and unique.
I reduced my 200gr load data and worked up reducing unique isn't a worry to me, but the heavier boolit weight was my concern the 44-40 is built around the 200 gr boolit and most barrel makers defer their twist rate to stabilize that weight and nothing heavier.
having a model 92 made pushing things hard enough a little easier, and using a 430 diameter helped a ton.